 ARMO unveils three vehicles in their shared booth with HRIA during first day of Show. |
SEMA Member News—January 2020
ARMO Salutes Industry Leaders
The Automotive Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and the industry it represents were front and center throughout the 2019 SEMA Show, from the Restoration Marketplace and the ARMO vintage-vehicle display in Central Hall—the latter jointly shared with the Hot Rod Industry Alliance—to the council’s annual awards reception, membership meeting and Restoration Builder’s Panel.
 “Breakfast with ARMO” created a relaxed atmosphere for members to come in an enjoy a hot meal while discussing important issues in the restoration market. |
To kick off the week on a celebratory note, more than 200 industry members gathered at the Westgate Resort & Casino on Tuesday evening of the Show to enjoy dinner, beverages and networking and to salute a vibrant industry segment at the ARMO awards reception. Emcee Tim Strange of Strange Motion Rod and Custom kicked off the festivities with the presentation of new-product awards. Winners in five award categories were previously finalized during ARMO’s Hot Products Showcase at the Spring Carlisle collector-car event.
The awards included:
- Drivetrain/Suspension/Brakes: The Right Stuff, 4-Wheel Disc Brake Conversion Kit
- Engine/Engine Compartment: Pypes Exhaust, Electric Cut-Out Kit
- Interior: Dakota Digital, ’67–’72 Chevrolet Truck RTX Gauge System
- Exterior Trim: Metro Molded Parts, SoffCapz Fastener Covers
- Accessories: Retro Manufacturing, Daytona Retro Radio
Next, it was time to offer up hearty congratulations to three industry leaders for their outstanding dedication and contributions to the restoration industry. JH Restoration took top honors as the ARMO Business of the Year. ARMO Person of the Year was awarded to Jim Menneto of Hemmings Motor News, and industry veteran Dennis Roberts was inducted into the ARMO Hall of Fame.
Restoration Resources
 The highly anticipated ARMO Reception received large crowds of restoration enthusiasts for a night of celebration and grandeur while highlighting this year’s ARMO Awards recipients. |
Providing resources through projects and education are essential elements of ARMO’s mission, and council activities during the Show highlighted that focus. For instance, the ARMO display area on the Show floor is more than just a showcase of pristine vintage vehicles. It’s also a means of demonstrating the vibrancy and longevity of the restoration industry, and it encourages interaction between attendees and ARMO select committee members on hand to talk about the benefits of council membership.
On the other hand, breakfast with ARMO on Wednesday morning gave select committee members and members at large a chance to catch up on the latest council happenings and engage in conversation about industry issues that impact restoration businesses. Conversations also touched on key council initiatives, including Take a Kid to a Car Show and the newest ARMO undertaking, Digital Matters—an ongoing series of articles on how restoration businesses can benefit from or improve their digital presence.
The Restoration Builder’s Panel, powered by ARMO, was also held on Wednesday. The ever-popular and always-well-attended session featured a panel of top-tier builders. During the interactive session, panelists shared insights, tips and tactics on what it takes to become a successful builder, serving as yet another resource for restoration professionals.
